What is Consistency?
The term consistency of masonry mortar means its property of mobility or fluidity. Consistency means the property of holding together all the ingredients without leading to segregation of mortar. It generally ranges from stiff to fluid. The working consistency of the mortar is usually judged by the worker during application.
What are the Factors Affecting Consistency of Mortar?
The consistency of mortar mix depends on the following factors.
- The composition of mortar
- Type of masonry work
The water should be enough to maintain the fluidity of mortar during application, but at the same time it should not be excessive leading to segregation of aggregate from the cementious material.
The quantity of water needed for maintain consistency or fluidity will also depend upon the masonry to which the mortar is used. Thinner joints will require greater fluidity; bed joints subject to heavy pressure may require stiffer mortar.